After complete assessment of crops which were battered by hailstorms last year in the state, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Centre would start providing financial help to the affected farmers soon.

From Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to parts of Maharashtra, the unseasonal showers over the weekend have dashed the hopes of thousands or farmers forcing some of them to take their own lives.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Wednesday assured that his government is committed to provide relief to hailstorm-hit farmers in the state and appealed to them not to take any "untoward decision" that could harm them.

Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorms in 28 districts of Maharashtra claimed the lives of at least 12 people and caused widespread damage to crops, affecting nearly five million farmers, officials said Monday.